Photo: TRONA AIRFORCE CALIFORNIA - X Account F-16 Pilot Ejects Before Jet Crashes in California. A serious and unusual incident in American military aviation was reported last night (December 3, 2025). The pilot of an F-16 Fighting Falcon jet ejected the plane at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time (8:45 p.m. GMT). Seconds later, the plane crashed.
According to a statement from the US Air Force, the pilot was participating in a training exercise over controlled airspace in California. The man who ejected from the plane is in stable condition and has been sent for further treatment. From the photos published on social media, you can see the large smoke plume caused by the plane crash, and the pilot bailing out in the background.
It was also reported that the incident is under investigation, and additional information will be released by the United States Air Force later.
US Army statement